Memoir 44: ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF THE SOUTHERN RHODESIA KING GEORGE ISSUES 1937-1953
Memoir 44:
ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF THE SOUTHERN RHODESIA KING GEORGE ISSUES 1937-1953
Revised and Updated April, 2025
Introduction
I had previously said that I would only compile encyclopaedias of stamp issued during my life, which made it fairly easy as I was born on the death of King George VI (or accession of the late Queen Elizabeth II). But looking through my electronic files, I found that over the years I had accumulated a fair amount of material. Which was all too much of a challenge – the material needed liberating!
As the issues of King George VI have been extensively reported on in numerous publications, I felt that there was a need to consolidate it in a single publication, which I am now endeavouring to do. I was assisted greatly by Memoir 21 on the KGVI definitive by George Stewart and Colin Hoffman, although there were many elements I felt needed substantiation and expansion. Unfortunately, with the recent death of George I was unable to tap into his extensive knowledge. I hope by the time the full encyclopaedia is published online it will provide an extensive study of the KGVI issues as possible. There is, however, always room for improvement and I hope that members of the RSC are as responsive as usual in providing further information. As I have said many times before, unless material is supplied to me, I cannot know what is missing.
Without the assistance of a great many people, this publication would not have been possible. My thanks go to the following people, I hope I have not missed anyone out
Pat Flanagan, Keith Brodovcky, Christopher Cooksey, Keith Harrop, Dave Cooper, Adrian de Bourbon, Colin Hoffman, Ian Johnstone, Tony Banks and Brian Livingston.
Also, thanks to Narendhra Morar for proof reading the material, especially as this is not a significant area of interest for him. Finally, to Sean Burke for placing the Encyclopaedia on the RSC website.
Geoff Brakspear
April, 2026